Nestled beside the Business Faculty of Cádiz, near the renowned Caleta beach, stands the beloved Mora tree - a centennial ficus known for its grandeur. Although not ancient, these "Ficus Macrophylla" trees captivate with their impressive size and colossal trunks, boasting perimeters of 9.8 and 10.5 metres respectively.
The nickname traces its roots back to the Mora Hospital, which once occupied the adjacent building before the university claimed its space.
Legend has it that two nuns, originally bound for northern Spain, brought these trees in pots from India. Fate intervened when one nun fell ill in Cádiz, prompting the ficuses to take root in the city.
Now iconic, "The Mora tree" has become a symbol of Cádiz, drawing visitors, especially at night when it dazzles under spectacular illumination. Some visitors get too excited though. In 2019, a daring tourist climbed its branches for better photographs, only to find himself stranded. Firefighters came to his rescue amidst applause, jokes, and banter from the amused onlookers gathered near La Caleta beach.
